Table server



June 3, 1924. 1,496,523

J. P. CLARY TABLE SERVER Filed Jan 6, 1923 atented June 3, 1924.

JOHN 1?. CLARY, F ORANGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

TABLE SERVER.-

Application filed January 6, 1923.

T 0 (ZZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I,.JoHN P. CLARY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Orange, in the county of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Table Servers, of which the following is a specification. p

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in table servers, and has particular reference to an article especially designed for use in the serving in homes or restaurants of such foods as asparagus, potatoes, sandwiches, ice, fish etc. to be employed in lieu of the usual fiat server now in use.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a table server wherein the article being served is properly supported and retained on the server against accidental displacement or falling, the article being clamped between jaw or plate members that are under control of the person using the server.

With the above and other objects in view as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists of the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing, and claimed.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a table server constructed in accordance with the present invention showing hingedly connected' handle members supporting the food gripping jaws or plates,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the server,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line IIIIII of Fig. 1 showing the hinge connection between the two handle arms, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of server showing a spring associated with the gripping ends of the handle members for retaining the clamping plates in a normally closed position.

In the serving of foods, such as above noted, it has previously been customary to grip a spoon and fork in one hand with a finger interposed therebetween for the purpose of obtaining leverage in gripping certain articles of food between the bowl of a spoon and the prongs of a fork during the act of serving, but such method requires unusual skill in the proper manipulation there- Serial No. 611,130.

of to eliminate the untimely drop ing of the food, and therefore, the principal object of this invention is to provide an improved table. server that will properly grip such articles of food and serve them, practice or skill notbeing required in using the server.

The table server disclosed in this application embodies an upper handle 1 and a lower handle2, the inner end of the handle 2 being secured in the side of one end'of a perpendicularly extending post 3 having a finger socket 4 in the lower end thereof adjacent the inner end of the handle 2, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The outer end of the handle 2 carries a aw or plate 5 of an appropriate configuration, such as shown in Fig. 2 providing a relatively large surface for the proper support of the foods to be served.

The inner end of the handle 1 is reduced or flattened as at 6 and is positioned in the upper bifurcated end 7 of the post 3 and pivotally retained therein by the pin 8 forming a hinge connection between the handles 1 and 2. An operating handle extension 9 is carried by the inner end of the handle 1 and extends rearwardly of the post 3 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, while the outer end of the handle 1 carries a clamping jaw or plate 10 preferably smaller than the plate 5 and of a fork design as shown in Fig. 2.

In the use of the server, the same is gripped in one hand. and if desired. the tip of the middle finger engages the finger socket 4 at the lower end of the post 3, the handle extension 9 positioned for engagement by the palm of the hand, while the index finger may engage the upper side of the handle 1. When so gripped, the handles 1 and 2 are readily operated for opening and closing movement thereof in positioning the plates 5 and 10 in gripping engagement with articles of food to be served and insuring against untimely dropping thereof. Considerable practice and skill are required in manipulating two separate forks or spoons in the serving of food, but with an article of this type food may be properly served with the possibility of embarrassment completely eliminated.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Fig. 4, the lower handle 11 being fixed to the post 12 and carrying a rear handle extension 13, while the handle 14 is pivotally mounted as at 15 upon the upper end of the post 12 and carries a rear handle extension 16. A leaf spring 17 is fixed as at 18 to the handle extension 13 and freely engages the adjacent face of the handle extension 16 tending to normally hold the outer ends of the handles 11 and 14 in a closed clamping position, opening movement thereof being accomplished by engaging the handle extension 16 to move the same toward the handle extension 13-against the tension of the spring 17 pressure on the handle 6X- tension 16 being relieved, the spring 17 will return the outer ends of the handles 11 and 14 to a clamping position. Y

While there are herein shown and described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What isclaimed as new is 1. In a table server, a pair of handles hingedly connected together at adjacent ends thereof, the hinge connection including a post forming a rigid bearing for the end of one handle, one end of the post having a finger socket, the other end of the post being bifurcated, and a flattened portion on the other handle disposed in the bifurcated end of the post and pivoted therein.

2. In a table server, a pair of handles hingedly connected together at adjacent ends thereof, the hinge connection including a post forming a rigid bearing for the end of one handle, one end of the post having a finger socket, the other end of the post being bifurcated, a flattened portion on the other handle disposed in the bifurcated end of the post and pivoted therein, and a handle extension carried by the last named handle extending beyond the post.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN P. OLARY. 

